Taking Photo Booth Props – Fun or Theft?

December 21, 2017

Ever taken Photo Booth Props? Is it a bit of fun banter or out-right theft?

Taken Photo Booth Props or something else that doesn’t belong to you?

We’ve all been there – had one too many, put on a pair of super cool giant pink sunglasses for your Photo Booth picture. Then, whilst posing for your snaps you get an amazing thought – “I look mighty fine in these huge pink sunglasses!”

What do you do next?

I’m sure sober you would think, “I wonder where I can purchase a pair of these awesome giant pink sunglasses, maybe I should ask the Photo Booth operator!”

But you’re not sober, you’ve polished off the welcome cocktail, a couple of pre-dinner pints, half a bottle of pre-desert wine and now you’re on the shorts. You’re merry to say the least.

Slightly tipsy you thinks, “These will fit perfectly into my pocket/bag/under my jacket. When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I’m going to do is don my awesome new giant pink sunglasses!”

The Photo Booth provider has 2 pairs of the same glasses, after all, you saw them on the table, they’re not going to miss them right? Plus, they’re not even that expensive, are they? They can afford it!

I’m sure there are all kinds of comfort stories you tell yourself both on the evening and the next day.

Are you a thief?

No! Not you! Are you?

I mean, you wouldn’t walk into a supermarket and fill your pockets with kit-kats because they have loads of them or they’re less than £1 a bar, would you? I mean all of the big supermarkets can definitely afford the loss of a few chocolate bars, can’t they?

Then again, they employ people to look out for shop thieves for that exact reason, they can’t afford to allow all the small costs to mount up. Surely that’s not cost effective, is it?

Well, if you add a couple of bars a day over thousands of stores, this quickly adds up and it suddenly makes a lot of sense that these people are employed.

Their method of deterrent is very clever too; you never know if one is present in any given store.

But they’re a supermarket so it’s different!

Is it though?

We can only afford to employ the two operators present at any given event. We could employ more but then Photo Booth hire will cost you more.

Our operators do attempt to be as vigilant as they can be but even this is often not enough. Even when you are spotted taking a prop or two, this takes us to the next phase…

The confrontation!

You’ve had more than a cheeky half, remember. So when this random busy-body accuses you of taking those giant pink sunglasses, in many cases, you’re not about to hand them over readily and admit the error of your ways.

They may even tell you that they out-right saw you. How dare they! You must now defend your honour for all near-by to hear!

This is the last thing our operator wants at any event and you know it…A SCENE!

So what’s the answer?

We know and you know you’ve done wrong in taking the props.

We’ve established that we can’t afford to allow the small costs to mount up over the year – bigger companies employ professionals to ensure this doesn’t happen.

We’ve agreed that you’re not always readily going to hand the props back.

We don’t want a scene.

We already have written into our contract that the person who has booked us (our client) is responsible for all losses – this is a common clause with most Photo Booth or event suppliers.

But you’re not our client, are you. So is it fair that they pay the price for your selfish behaviour? I know, we feel guilty charging them too!

So what do we do?

We put this exact question to some of our Business Networks…

…and their answers were brilliant!

We’re undecided which ones we’re going to implement yet but here they are:

Be more upfront on charges for losses and charge an on the top deposit of say £20.

Make our prop inventory public and include prices (probably with a small mark-up as we have to spend the time and/or fuel on finding a replacement) so if people steal anything, it’s deducted from the deposit or if anyone wants to buy them they can.

Invest in some labels which can be removed (if they do purchase but not easily) so if there’s ever the “I brought these with me” then there’s no discussion.

Invest in a new, matching mini prop box for people to return the props before stepping out the booth…thinking more on it, this will also make life a bit easier in keeping the prop table looking good because people just launch props back there at the moment.

A tongue-in-cheek poem! Love it!

Buy GPS tracker stickers which would be hidden on the props, then we can track the missing items straight back to you – yes these exist for a very reasonable price online!

Increase prices to absorb the losses – we’re really against doing this as we’ve not long put our prices up to bring us more in-line with the rest of the Photo Booth market but we are still cheaper than most Photo Booth providers in the North East.

What do you think?

Let us know by commenting on our post on Facebook or send us a Message on Facebook.

Oh and if this Blog rings true with you, contact us via the same means for our returns address!

Thanks for reading, watch out for updates on “what’s next” in January 2018.